Manatee County Audubon Society

We are committed to protecting the environment in our community, our state and our country.

Junior Audubon
Starts in September
For children 7 to 12

By Steve Black
Since Karen Fraley’s Spring
Break Camp has been such
a success, we are embarking
on a new venture and starting
a Junior Audubon program.
The purpose is to introduce the
wonders of our Florida envi-
ronment to children at the im-
portant ages of 7 to 12 years.

Each meeting will last about
two hours, starting at 9 a.m.,
the first Saturday of the month
from September through May,
with the exception of January.
Our first three meetings will
be at Felts Audubon Preserve.
The annual membership fee is
$15 per person.
Lucette Wombacher and I will
be teaching the course. In ad-
dition, we will bring in other
instructors depending on the
content. Every student will re-
ceive a copy of the Field Guide
to Florida published by Na-
tional Audubon Society.
The curriculum will be adjust-
ed depend-
ing on the
knowledge
and interest
level of the
students.
The first
class will be
on how to
use binoculars. In addition to
birds, we will cover butterflies,
trees, wildflowers, and ani-
mals. An important objective
of the course will be getting
parental involvement.
Chuck Warner, a student in the 2009 Bird Identificaton course, is shown here
on a class field trip photographing Royal Terns on Whitney Beach.
For details on the 2010 Bird ID course, see page 4.
President’s letter from Barbara Singer
We have new meeting place, projects and goals
It is just August 20th as I write this and already I’m excited about the coming year. We have a new
location for our monthly meetings: First United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. West,
Palmetto. See map and directions on page 3. We also have three additions to the Manatee Audubon
Board: Dee Hanny, Patty Petruff and Carol Webster and they have all hit the ground running.
As a Board, we have been very active this summer planning our goals, field trips, programs, over-
night trips and budget for the coming year. Some of our newest projects include the establishment
of Manatee County’s first Beach-nesting Bird Stewardship Program as well as a new Junior Audu-
bon group. We want to set up a Manatee Audubon Environmental Scholarship Program for graduat-
ing seniors, and we look forward to going “green” with our newsletter for all members who would
like to save a tree and receive our newsletter electronically. To register for electronic delivery of the
newsletter, email me at president@manateeaudubon.org
Two of our goals for this year go hand in hand: to recruit new members and to get more of our
members involved in Manatee Audubon. One way you can help is to bring a friend or neighbor to
our meetings and encourage them to join. We will continue to provide opportunities for participa-
tion, ranging from a couple hours at a special event to a monthly commitment as a committee mem-
ber. You can volunteer at Felts, lead a field trip, help out at one of the Junior Audubon meetings
or get involved in conservation issues. There are any number of opportunities for you to put your
talents to work and make a difference. All you have to do is say “YES” when asked to help. Please
do not hesitate to come to me with your suggestions as I will not hesitate to come to you in our ef-
forts to make Manatee County Audubon Society a strong and vital chapter.
See fall migration at Fort De Soto Park on 9/19 Details page 4
Page 2

Screech Owls go wild at Felts Preserve

Look back
at our history
By Don Bansen, MCAS Historian

The Manatee County Audubon

Society discontinued its informal
bird counts at Myakka River State
Park in the 1960s and the local
bird count in 1976. The Christmas
Bird Count was resumed in 1982
when Charlie Pead decided he
would like to try it again.
National Audubon took control of
Cortez island in December 1981
and posted signs designating it
as a wildlife sanctuary. Thirteen
species of birds were found on the
state-owned island off the Cortez
fishing docks.
A few days before Christmas 1982,
a Bald Eagle was shot by someone
wielding a shotgun. Catherine
Spurr, who started and operated
Sarasota Wildlife Center Inc., took
the bird in and with help from a lo-
cal vet, restored the bird’s health.
Robert McNesky, an artist and
teacher of art, became our chap-
ter president in 1984. He drew
the original logo for our chapter,
a Black-crowned Night Heron.
He was hired by Randy Chastain,
developer of Tidy Island, to illus-
trate a book, “The Birds of Tidy
Island,” which was to be given to
residents there. This was about
the same time that the Perico Bay
Club was being developed by Neal,
Buskirk and Adams. They agreed
to set aside a portion of the devel-
opment as a wildlife sanctuary and
installd 25 signs, “Posted Wildlife
Sanctuary.”
A “Raptor Release Program” was
kicked off on December 1, 1984,
on Perico Island, adjacent to the
site of the development, when
Barnie the Barn Owl was re-
leased by Lisa Shocknesse, who
had rehabbed him. The program
was funded by a donation from
the family of Dr. Robert White.
By Lucette Wombacher
We were privileged to witness the release of three Eastern Screech Owls at Felts Audubon
Preserve one evening in early August. The owls were freed behind the storage barn at the edge
of Oak Alley, as far away from the Great Horned Owl (perched in the pine next to the Bird
Blind) as we could get. It happened very quickly. Two Screech Owls took off in a blur as soon
as the door to their cage was opened. The third owl needed encouragement to leave the cage.
Bob Wombacher got some photos of one owl perched in Oak Alley. Fred Allen got a photo of
another one. Above left, an owl peeks out the cage door. Above right, one Screech Owl has
found a spot to contemplate his newfound freedom. Or is it a she? My understanding is that
the mother owl was found dead and the nestlings were brought to a St. Petersburg veterinarian,
who is a licensed wildlife rescuer. She raised the babies until they were old enough to release.
But where and how? It just happened that the vet lives across the street from Julia Schneider,
daughter of board members Jack and Bunny Schneider. When the idea of Felts was suggested
as a place to free the owls, Jack and Bunny phoned board members for approval and coordi-
nated plans. Present for the release were Jack and Bunny Schneider, their daughter Julia and
her veterinarian friend, Fred Allen, Lea Etchells, her daughter Buffy and grandson James, and
Bob and me. Fred Allen reports that the the Mockingbirds,Wrens and Cardinals “had a lot to
say about their new neighbors” and some of what they said was “not so friendly.”
Butterflies counted at Felts submitted by Jeanne Schlesinger
Don Stillwaugh and Fred Allen conducted the annual butterfly count at Felts Audubon Pre-
serve on Saturday July 11 and recorded 26 species and 246 individual butterflies. One Giant
Swallowtail was seen as well as three Black Swallowtails and one Spicebush Swallowtail. The
most prevalent butterfly was the Ceraunus Blue, a small but brightly colored species. One new
species, a Viceroy, was spotted this year to bring the total of butterfly species that have been
identified in the Preserve to 41. As the butterfly plants mature in the new native planting of
butterfly plants adjacent to the Bird Blind, we may be able to see larger numbers of butterflies
and perhaps some new species. The additional seeding in the wildflower meadow which was
completed this spring may also attract more butterflies to the preserve.
Thanks to Felts Audubon Preserve hosts submitted by Carol Webster
May 2 - Bunny and Jack Schneider were our Felts hosts greeting 19 visitors on a pleasant
good weather day. Jeanne Dubi, with some Sarasota Audubon members, enjoyed the preserve,
observing the butterflies. One visitor applied for membership.
June 6 - Dee Hanny hosted 11 visitors and reported 26 species, including a Great Crested
Flycatcher, two adult Eastern Bluebirds with four young, two young Great Horned Owls and a
juvenile Sandhill Crane that walked within 10 feet of Dee. One new member was accepted.
July 4 - Don and Betty Bansen, in spite of the summer heat, came out to host four visitors and
to report eight bird species.
August 1 - Lea Etchells hosted 11 birders and photographers on this warm humid morning.
She and Fred Allen spotted two immature Bald Eagles riding the thermals above Felts. Fred
said we have our first generation of butterflies about to emerge from the Butterfly Garden.
 Page 3
Get me to the church on time
We’ll meet at Palmetto’s 1st United Methodist
By Barbara Singer, President Deadline looms
As we discussed at our
meetings last season, we to help
have decided to change
meeting locations. This Alaska Seas
was strictly a financial
decision to save money. By Arlene Flisik
Over the summer, a team Write now and help stop the as-
visited five suggested sault on Alaska’s Chukchi and
locations looking for a Beaufort Seas.
facility that would meet
our needs. We were able A part of the Outer Continental
to secure the First Unit- Shelf, they’re one of the world’s
ed Methodist Church of most biologically unique, envi-
Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. ronmentally sensitive - but least
West, Palmetto. This studied - marine ecosystems. Cur-
church is about a mile rently undisturbed, they face im-
from our previous meeting location and will be as convenient for most of our members. From minent oil and gas development
Bradenton, go north over the Green Bridge (U.S. 41), turn left at the base of the bridge onto - while little relevant scientific
Riverside Dr. West, go three blocks to 11th Ave. West, turn right to 330 11th Ave.West. From research has been done and little
baseline data is available to evalu-
Parrish and Palmetto, take U.S. 41 south, turn right onto Riverside Dr. West (before the bridge),
ate or monitor impacts.
go three blocks to 11th Ave. West and turn right to 330 11th Ave. West.
The shallow Chukchi is the most
The new location will cost $75 each meeting – half what we were paying at our former loca- productive high-latitude sea in
tion. Over the summer a devoted member wanted to insure that our meetings would not be the Arctic. The Beaufort is a main
disrupted and made a $150 donation to cover two meetings. It is with thoughtful members like whale migration route, and its
this that we can continue to provide educational programs and events for the membership. health is critical for many species.

Thanks to all who suggested locations, those who visited locations and donors who keep us Ice is the distinctive and DAN-
going with their contributions. GEROUS feature of both. The ice
edge produces myriad phytoplank-
ton on which depend all marine
Help wanted to lead field trips..... and Coastal Arctic wildlife spiral-
ing up the food chain, eventually
By Connie Zack including the native peoples living
Thank you to our trip leaders who led enjoyable adventures during the 2008-2009 season. nearby. BUT THERE IS NO WAY
They were Don and Bobbi Benson, Steve Black, Bob and Nancy Dean, Arlene Flisik, Chuck TO CLEAN UP A SPILL IN BRO-
and Joann Froman, Dee Hanny, Ron and LaDonne Mayberry, Chuck and Ginny Oshaben, KEN OR SOLID ICE. And, it’s
Patty Petruff, Carol Webster, Bob and Lucette Wombacher, and Connie Zack. dark 24/7 during the winter!

You do not have to be an expert birder to lead a field trip. It requires that you plan and lead Even routine discharges, noise, air
the group and send in a write-up for the Night Heron. There are always “expert” birders on the pollution, vessel traffic and habitat
trips who share their knowledge. We need new volunteers to lead trips which will take the bur- encroachment will further stress
den off those who lead more than one trip per year. We have exciting plans for 2009-2010 and areas already impacted by climate
warming. The answer: stop leas-
we hope you will participate. To volunteer, contact me at 758-2929 or zacodo@verizon.net
ing; obtain up-to-date comprehen-
.....and to monitor Beach-nesting Birds sive and credible research; and go
from there.
By Dee Hanny
Greetings to ALL members. This year our chapter is planning to have a new and more active Write comments “Re OCS Oil and
Beach-nesting Bird Stewardship monitoring and protection program. I have volunteered to be Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015,”
and have been chosen to be Co-ordinator of the program for the chapter. I am seeking volun- and mail BY SEPTEMBER 14 to
teers to participate. The most active part of the project will be next spring but I want to get a “Sec’y of the Interior Ken Salazar;
head start. I will be providing more information in the near future and will accept any sugges- c/o Ms. Renee Orr; Chief, Leasing
tions and help. Please contact me if you are interested. Dee A. Hanny--941-745-1553 or email Division; Minerals Management
me at ynnahda@yahoo.com. Service, MS 4010; 381 Elden St.;
Herndon, VA 20170-4817.”
Photos by David Williamson

Manatee County Audubon Society

P.O. Box 14550
Bradenton FL 34280-4550

September 2009 Newsletter To register for electronic delivery of future newsletters,

email your request to
president@manateeaudubon.org
Welcome New Members
Wade and Betty Matthews
Elizabeth H Gould
Richard Greenspun
Stephen and Joanne Doyle
Dotty Motta
Yvette Little
Linda M. Harris

Send your items for the newsletter to Molly McCartney

at msmccartney@sprintmail.com or call 778-3228.

Upcoming Events Bird Identification Course Set for January

Saturday 9/19
Fort De Soto Park Fall Migration
Steve Black, 376-0110, leads trip to island
park near St. Petersburg, at the mouth of
Tampa Bay. Depart Main Post Office at 8
a.m. to visit one of the top birding spots
in Florida, especially during the peak fall
migration period.
Saturday 9/26
Workday Felts Preserve
8 a.m. to noon
Saturday 10/3
Open House Felts Preserve
8 a.m. to noon
Junior Audubon
9 a.m.
Saturday 10/10
Honeymoon Island and Dunedin Ham-
mock City Park. Steve Black, 376-0110,
leads trip to bird a barrier island that
boasts nature trails and bird observation
areas. $5 charge per car. Depart Main Post
Office at 7 a.m.
Thursday 10/15
Monthly Meeting
First United Methodist Church
330 11th Ave. West, Palmetto
By Nancy and Bob Dean
Again, new and updated
information has been
added to the MCAS Be-
ginning Bird Watching
Course, which will be
offered in January. This
course includes four
class sessions and two
full-day field trips. Class
sessions in the Synovus
Bank community room,
2520 Manatee Avenue
West, Bradenton, are
on Mondays and Thurs-
days: January 18, 21, 25
and 28, begin promptly
at 6:30 p.m. (door opens
Bob Dean leading 2009 Bird ID class at Synovus Bank
6 p.m.) and end about
8:45 or 9 p.m. The two Saturday field trips begin promptly at 7 a.m. on January 23 and 30.
These trips require a car, and car pooling is encouraged. Each trip lasts until about 2 p.m..
MCAS has kept the 2009 price for the 2010 course, which is $35 for MCAS members. The
$50 fee for non-members includes first year local Audubon membership. Remember that
several interested 2009 participants had to be turned away, as that course filled in early Janu-
ary. Already, a record number of 2010 participants have reserved a space in this course and
less than 16 spaces remain. If you want to take this course in 2010, you are urged to contact
Nancy Dean at 941-792-9235, as soon as possible, after November 1.